[image error] The other 20 percent

Over the last few months, I have received a lot of feedback from people about how my book Moments: Making Your Life Count For What Matters Most has inspired them to finally invest time toward "finishing strong." For some people, finishing strong means becoming more engaged in the life they have been given and the roles they have been assigned. For others, finishing strong means they want to accomplish a goal that is personal and meaningful to them and impacts a broader sphere of influence.

Many people fall into a group that desires to finally finish a dream, project, or goal that they have put some time into but have not quite managed to carry it to completion. For this group, finishing strong means to "Seize the Moment." Based on these responses and reactions to Moments, we have been doing research both formally and informally about what it means to "Seize the Moment" and why people don't follow through on their goals. We have been asking the questions:

• Is there a project, idea, or goal you have considered and put some thought to but have not been able to plan and do it? What has been the biggest inhibitor to your success?

What we have discovered so far is that many people are good at setting a goal and beginning it. In other words, they are competent in getting something to "80 percent" completion. Where they falter is in the last "20 percent."

In my work with high potentials and high performers in sports, business, and life, I have noticed that the most significant and successful people follow through on their commitments. They focus on the other 20 percent. They pay attention to detail. They make the most of their time in a day. They plan weekly, and execute daily. They respond courageously in the face of adversity and setbacks. They make the most of their moments. And what's in a moment? Our time. Our choices. Our decisions. Our thoughts. Our relationships and sphere of influence. The other 20 percent is the difference between being a goal setter and a goal achiever.

What about you? Is there a project, idea, or goal you have considered and put some thought to but have not been able to plan and do it? What has been the biggest inhibitor to your success? Do you need to focus on the final 20 percent? Are you making the most of your moments?